The Interdisciplinary Project in the Humanities

About the Program

The Interdisciplinary Project in the Humanities is a rigorous, interdisciplinary program for students seeking honors. The major combines

an introductory core — a concentrated study of texts central to the European and American philosophical, religious, and literary traditions and
an area of concentration — an advanced sequence of courses and research tailored to the special interests of each student in the program.

For students pursuing concentrations in American intellectual history, in the European avant-garde in the twentieth century, or in Renaissance political thought (to take three among many possible examples), the introductory core will provide a crucial foundation for advanced interdisciplinary work; the core will also provide a useful background for students undertaking comparative concentrations — for example, in Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim mystical literature, or in the influence of Russian fiction in East Asia.

Jack Clancy

1937 - 2019

During his 25 years of teaching in Arts & Sciences, Jack Clancy built a reputation as a thoughtful and inspiring educator. He taught courses in ancient and modern political thought; particularly popular were his offerings on Lincoln’s political thought and on economic thought from Aristotle to Keynes. Students and colleagues noted the boundless energy and intelligence with which Clancy approached these topics.

Read the full Obituary

"He was a wonderful teacher, learned, droll, and warm; there was a kind of dignified hospitality to everything he did... he brought out the best in his students and he loved to talk about their growth and achievements. He got as good as he gave."

―Joe Loewenstein Director, IPH